Police launch summer road safety campaign

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 9 Jun 2010 13:06 0 Comments

POLICE in Clackmannanshire have launched their initiative aimed at keeping children safe on the roads when the schools break up for summer.

'Look About - School's Out' was launched at Sunnyside Primary School in Alloa after P6 pupil Melissa Japp won a competition to design a logo for the campaign.

The month-long campaign is aimed at raising awareness of road safety issues with drivers, children and parents is now in its third year.

Community Officers, Community Wardens, Traffic Wardens and Road Safety Officers will also visit schools to emphasise the importance of road safety to pupils and to those dropping them off.

Leading the initiative for the third year, Constable Liz Brown, said, "When pupils break for their summer holidays the last thing on their minds is being careful when they are out playing. All they want to do is have fun.

"We want them to have fun too but we need them to take care when they are out and about - especially near roads. The last thing we want is for somebody to be injured.

"There is no doubt that this campaign has made a big difference but one problem that is still coming up is parking next to schools.

"We will be targeting all the primary schools in Clackmannanshire in the mornings and afternoons when children are being picked up and dropped off.

"We are trying to educate people rather than just giving out tickets as we want them to know just how dangerous it is and will continue to do this in order to reinforce the message."

Another area which police are targeting is the use of is off-road bikes, which are prohibited in Clackmannanshire as there is nowhere they can be used.

Alloa Inspector Malcolm McEwan said, "The schools break up at the end of this month and motorists need to be aware and modify their driving accordingly.

"Children need to be aware that there are cars about and that it is dangerous to play on or near roads."

During the campaign officers will be targeting all aspects of road safety including speeding motorists, tackling parking problems outside school and dealing with anyone detected not wearing their seatbelts or using a mobile phone while driving.

Clackmannanshire Council's portfolio holder for inclusion, Councillor George Matchett, said, "This joint campaign is a great example of the police and council working together.

"Keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility and Look About - School's Out will remind both children and drivers to be careful on the roads."

Alloa Round Table generously donated the prize of a bike for competition winner Melissa Japp.

The Round Table's president George Aitkenhead said, "We are happy to support this initiative and pleased to be able to provide the prize.

"We work closely with the police during the Alloa Half Marathon, especially on road safety aspects, and we are pleased to be part of this campaign."

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